HOULTON – Kenneth C. Larson, 85, died Feb. 7, 2011, in Houlton. He was born Oct. 20, 1925, in Stockholm, the son of Albin and Pearle (Burns) Larson.
He attended Houlton schools and graduated from Houlton High School in 1943 and then enlisted in the U.S. Army in August of that year. He served in the European Theater in World War II, including the Battle of the Bulge and received his discharge in May 1946. He then attended Ricker College. He joined the Maine Army National Guard at Houlton, in January 1950, as a full-time technician. He retired in October 1980 as property book officer of the 152nd Field Artillery Guard Battalion. He was then attached to the U.S.P.F.O. Section, State Headquarters, Augusta, until his retirement from the Army National Guard in December 1984. Kenneth was also a businessman who owned Broadway Record Shop and the Pizza Palace. He will also be remembered as the founder of Larson Flying Service in 1963. That service provided flight training and charter flights, along with full Fixed Base aviation services for the town of Houlton.
He is survived by his son, Terrence and fiancee, Diane Bates; grandchildren, Matthew and Stephanie Larson and their mother, Rae Ann Hutchinson; and half brothers and half sisters, Robert Larson, Linda Fitzpatrick, Joan McAtee, Larry and Rodney Larson and Barbara Spellman. He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Jean (McLaughlin); his brother, Harold “Bud” Larson; and sister, Dorene MacIlroy.
Friends may call 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at Bowers Funeral Home, 10 Water St., Houlton. A Mass of Christian burial with full military honors will be held 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary’s Visitation Church with Father Clem Thibodeau and Deacon Al Burleigh officiating. Spring interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to donate in Ken’s memory may do so to Houlton Regional Hospital Cardiac Division, 22 Hartford St., Houlton, ME 04730 or American Heart Association, 51 U.S. Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074-7134. For an online memory book and to send condolences, please visit
www.bowersfuneral.com.